Do Male Patients Benefit from Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding More than Female Patients? A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background Clinical trials in the field of bariatrics, and specifically laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), have frequently been gender imbalanced, with males representing only 20% of examinees. Long-term gender-oriented results, and specifically quality of life (QOL) parameters, have not been addressed sufficiently. The aim of our study was to examine the long-term gender association with outcome of LAGB including the impact on QOL. Methods A retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent LAGB between 2006 and 2014 by a single surgeon was conducted. Data were collected from the hospital registry and a telephone interview that included a standardized questionnaire. Outcomes including BMI reduction, evolution of comorbidities, complications, reoperations, and QOL were compared according to the Bariatric Analysis and Reporting Outcome System (BAROS). Results Included were 114 males and 127 females, with a mean age of 38.2 years at surgery, and an average post-surgery follow-up of 6.5 years. Similar BMI reduction ( p = 0.68) and perioperative complication rates ( p = 0.99) were observed. Males had a greater improvement in comorbidities ( p < 0.001), less band slippage ( p = 0.006), underwent fewer reoperations ( p = 0.02), and reported higher QOL scores ( p = 0.02) than females. The total BAROS score was significantly higher for males than females ( p < 0.001). Conclusions LAGB surgery results in better outcomes for male than female patients as measured by the BAROS, despite a similar BMI reduction. Gender-specific outcomes should be taken into consideration in optimizing patient selection and preoperative patient counseling.